Slug for ID, please

[Dannica]

I keep finding these sluggies which have an orange ridge along the centre of their back in my garden. I'd love to find out what they are so I can learn more about them. Currently have no money to buy the slug id guide I'm dying to get, so any hints and suggestions welcome.
Ta,
D

[2dogs2000]

My guess is Tandonia sowerbyi.

[sebastianbawn]

Could be Tandonia sowerbyi or Tandonia budapestensis. I don't think it is that easy to be sure without seeing the underside (foot) of the slug. Apparently T.budapestensis has a tripartite sole (3 parts to it)

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by sebastianbawn

has a tripartite sole (3 parts to it)

Ah, interesting - Tripartite, does that roughly mean Tri = 3 partite = partitions, parts?

[Fauna]

Originally Posted by sebastianbawn

Could be Tandonia sowerbyi or Tandonia budapestensis. I don't think it is that easy to be sure without seeing the underside (foot) of the slug. Apparently T.budapestensis has a tripartite sole (3 parts to it)

Yes, always good to check the underneath with slugs. T. sowerbyi won't have this dark central stripe to its sole. Also, not all T. budapestensis will have this dark centre which makes things awkward.

The one in the photo has the look/jizz (the way the slug is resting in that U position of T. budapestensis...just a suggestion not id

Currently have no money to buy the slug id guide I'm dying to get, so any hints and suggestions welcome.

Just recently been informed that there is a new Aidgap guide/key on slugs comming out in the next year or two...will be worth waiting for this one.

[sebastianbawn]

Just checked my Tandonia group in the garden, all striped! I do have 2 questions I hope someone can answer

1. The T.budapestensis that I found were covered in Spotted Snake Millipedes (Blaniulus guttulatus), were they cleaning them?

2. I believe T.rustica also lives in the UK, how does this differentiate from T.budapestensis and T.sowerbyi?

Hope all went well/goes well with the slug identification hunt Chris

[Fauna]

Originally Posted by sebastianbawn

Just checked my Tandonia group in the garden, all striped! I do have 2 questions I hope someone can answer

1. The T.budapestensis that I found were covered in Spotted Snake Millipedes (Blaniulus guttulatus), were they cleaning them?

2. I believe T.rustica also lives in the UK, how does this differentiate from T.budapestensis and T.sowerbyi?

Hope all went well/goes well with the slug identification hunt Chris

Thats very interesting about those Millipedes, i've never noticed anything like that on the slugs i've come across...not heard of anything like it either. Might be worth keeping an eye out and see if you come across this again.

The notes i have on T. rustica has it down as rare and restricted to old deciduous woodland in Kent an Co. Cork. The habitat suggesting it could potentially be native.

It seems to be larger than the others (up to 100mm), with small black flecks over mantle and body. The mantle also has two narrow black bands/streaks in the groove. Sole is pale yellow-white throughout. They certainly look distinctive enough to id without dissection...would love to come across some, they are fairly smart looking slug.

This fact sheet should be able to help.

Fact Sheet: Tandonia spp..

[sebastianbawn]

When I checked earlier the millipedes were still 'cohabiting' They just seem to run all over the slugs! Thanks for the info, and the link

I have T.budapestensis and T.sowerbyi so I too would like to find T.rustica